Saying the draft was bad for Mayo is premature
by Paragon SC on Jun 29, 2008 5:00 AM PDT
in USC Basketball
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PrintInteresting write up over on Rivals by Dan Woike.
With Mayo in Memphis, he ends up in a town that hasn't fully embraced NBA basketball. Nike didn't shy away, though, inking Mayo to a four-year endorsement deal. The deal, though, wasn't for "major" dollars, according to reports.
More importantly than the size of the market, though, is the fit within the team that selected Mayo.
Unfortunately for the ex-Trojan guard, things don't look too promising.
I guess it depends on what your definition of bad is. I actually think this is a perfect fit for Mayo, he is from a small town so his thought process is geared towards that small town mentality. That's not to say he doesn't have big aspirations or that he couldn't make it in a big market but with the amount of pressure that will be placed on him to perform this is a great fit. Sure, Mayo may have to compete with Rudy Gay for ball time but I see no reason why Mayo won't succeed as far as his basketball growth is concerned.
Memphis isn't very good and yes they are guard heavy but for Mayo this could be the best place for him to thrive without the pressure of big market media breathing down his neck. Mayo is going to be an all-star in this league regardless of where he plays that's a given, and while his goal of coming to USC to market his image was short lived I think he did just enough controversy aside.
Mayo's goal was to make it to the NBA, he has now achieved that goal. He now needs to set a new list of goals that would include the obvious, being an all-star and winning a title. The former is completely up to him while the latter is out of his control and because it was out his control on where he went I don't think the draft was bad for Mayo at all. He has had the last laugh with a big contract coming and slew of endorsements as well.
I am still not happy about the controversy but up to this point its mission accomplished. We wish him luck.
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Bourbon and BBQ Baby!
and Southern Belles too. Lifestyle still means something.
The T-Wolves may be “closer” with their new roster but they’re not that close.
He'll do well but...
I don’t know how much success Memphis can have without a real inside presence. I honestly think the Timberwolves got the better deal, and not just because they got Love but because of the three players they aquired. OJ has too much natural talent to not do well, but I think he will flounder a little going against teams that have size rarely seen in college. It will take moving to a “contender” for OJ to really shine.
Ugh
I really wish he would’ve somehow ended up on the Sonics. He was the perfect fit for the Sonics.
The poster formerly known as Matt.
" Procopio called Mayo the best player in the draft,. . . . . ."
Those are the words of the NBA scout who helped facilitate the draft trade between the TWolves and the Grizzlies. And I, for one, don’t doubt his veracity. Having seen OJ play in 4 games this past season as a Trojan, I thought he was hands down the best “team-player” on the court every single time. When I saw OJ and KLove on the same court, same opinion. As a matter of fact, the pro game will suit OJ far better than the college game- OJ won’t find anyone any faster or bigger guarding him that will squash any of the on-court results he enjoyed from his college days. He might even be better in the pro game. The same can’t be said about KLove. He’ll be HOUNDED at any F or C position in the pro game.
There’s also a wonderful article written a few days ago that I found, it’s here:
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/jun/29/all-eyes-on-oj-o/
It seems the Memphis community think the trade went well, with over 87% of the respondents to a poll asking their approval/disapproval of the Mayo/Love trade saying “yes”. They approve. OJ, Conley, and Gay- with Darko Milicic and Marc Gasol? They might just make some noise finally in Memphis. KLove will definitely see success earlier on with the TWolves, they received a good number of players- namely Mike Miller.
Good luck to OJ. Fight On!
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